Fabulous Firework Family [Hardcover]

James Flora (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1955

Pepito, Amelia, and their mother and father are called the Fabulous Firework Family because they make the finest fireworks in their Mexican village. They've been asked to create a grand fireworks display to honor the village's patron saint. In brilliant paintings, full of color and excitement, and in his vigorous text, Flora perfectly captures the wonders of feast day and a glorious fireworks display.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A new version (both text and art have been completely redone) of a title first published in 1955, this jaunty picture book introduces readers to a Mexican tradition--and to a smattering of Spanish vocabulary. To celebrate the birthday of Santiago, patron saint of the village, the Firework Maestro is asked to stage "the biggest and best BOOM! BAM! POW! firework fiesta ever made!" Aided by his wife and two children, the Maestro constructs a firework castillo (a tall bamboo frame onto which various gunpowder-filled figures are tied). Spanish words sprinkle Flora's narrative and adorn his stylized pen-and-watercolor pictures, while a south-of-the-border intensity heats up Flora's palette and compositions. After the elaborate preparations, the festival itself attracts pilgrims from all over Mexico. The story loses some focus with a tangent about a pickpocket loose in the throng, but the art becomes increasingly dramatic, climaxing in vibrant and highly patterned views of the fireworks. Aspiring linguists, however, should note that no pronunciation guide accompanies the plentiful Spanish vocabulary. Ages 5-9.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4-Both text and art have been completely revised from Flora's original version (Harcourt, 1955; o.p.) of this title. Pepito and Amelia live with their parents in the village of Santiago. Collectively they are known as The Fabulous Firework Family because they create the finest pyrotechnic displays in all of Mexico. At the request of some dignitaries, they construct the largest, noisiest, and most colorful firework castillo for the birthday celebration of their village's patron saint. Updated and significantly shortened, the text reads more smoothly than the earlier edition. Phrases that today sound a bit stilted have been modified, and entire episodes have been cut, making the narrative much less convoluted. One subplot about a pickpocket and the chain reaction leading to his capture was retained. While a bit superfluous, it adds tension and slapstick humor. A brief prefatory explanation of the tradition of fireworks in Mexican celebrations is a nice addition. More Spanish words have been included, both within the narrative and in the illustrations, adding flavor and visual interest. Unfortunately, no pronunciation guide is given, there are errors in the use of accents, and inclusion of definite articles in the labeling is inconsistent. The pen-and-watercolor illustrations are more colorful and more detailed, but are rendered in the same simple, two-dimensional style of the originals. Flora's bright blues, pinks, and yellows capture the festive atmosphere, and the busy, detailed drawings are fun to pore over. An entertaining story that gives children a glimpse of another culture.
Lauren Mayer, New York Public Library
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Harcourt (June 1955)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152269924
• ISBN-13: 978-0152269920
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,286,933 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a long-time favorite, June 23, 2000

By 

a mom (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fabulous Firework Family, The (Hardcover)

My son (now 8) and I have read and re-read Fabulous Firework Family numerous times; it's still a favorite for both of us! The book is about a family in a little mountain town of Mexico whose passion, livelihood, and specialty it is to make fireworks. It's a charming look at a culture very different from ours- each family member (even the parrot and the burro!) has his or her part in building this huge castillo. The castillo is a structure made of bamboo and moving, pinata-like fireworks that is set off at a fiesta honoring the town's patron saint. The illustrations are vivid, and many of them are labeled in Spanish - good for vocabulary building. Fabulous Firework Family is full of delights for children - animals, humor, bright colors, excitement, the fiesta, a pickpocket! The only aspect of the book I'm not crazy about is that it's a bit boy/man-centric.